Fruit-picker&#39;s belt.



110.8919915vA PATENTBD JULY 14, 1908.

J. M. HBPWORTH.

FRUIT PICKERS BELT.

APPLIOA'I'ION` FILED JULY 16. 1907.

2 SHEETS--SHEETl 1.

auentoz N 892 991. PATENTED JULY 14 190 9 J. M. HEPWORTH. 8

FRUIT PICKERS BELT. APPLIUATION FILED JULY 1e, 1901.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.i aan JOHN M. HEPWORTH, OF MILTON, NEW YORK.

FRUIT-PICKERS BELT.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Application filed July 16, 1907. Serial No. 383,996.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. JOHN M. HErwoRTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milton, in the county of Ulster and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Pickers Belts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides harness of novel form for sustaining and carrying baskets and like receptacles in which fruit, vegetables and the like are deposited when gathered, thereby facilitating the operation and enabling a given amount of work to be more quickly performed and with less fatigue and eifort than is possible by appliances and the way in vogue.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing it applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention as it appears when completed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the belt and apron, showing a hook suspending a basket, a portion of the latter being represented.

The harness consists of shoulder strips 1, a belt or waist strip 2, an apron 3 and suspending hooks 4.

The shoulder strips 1 are wide intermediate of their ends and contract near their ends, the widened portions enabling a broad purchase to be obtained on the shoulders so as to distribute the weight and revent concentration of the pressure. ongitudinal slots 5 are formed in the widened portions of the shoulder straps for the dual purpose of securing ventilation and to enable the straps to conform more readily to the shape of the shoulders without causing injurious pressure or inconvenience.

The belt or waist strap 2 is comparatively narrow and is provided at one end with a buckle, the opposite end portion having a' series of openings to admit of making adjustable connection with the buckle so as to adapt the size of the belt or waist strap to the girth of the picker or person using the harness. A tab 6 is pendent from the right side of the belt or waist strap near the front and is adapted to receive one of the suspend* ing hooks, the latter serving chiefly to carry empty baskets. A tab 7 similar to the tab 6 is pendent from the belt or waist strap upon the left side and in the rear and is designed to support the basket or other receptacle when mounted upon a tall or straight ladder, so as not to interfere with climbing or free movements of the picker. The tabs 6 and '7 are preferably integral with the belt or waist strap, although they may be provided in any manner and obviate weakening of the belt or waist strap which would be thc case if the suspending hooks were passed through openings formed directly in the said belt or waist strap.

The apron 3 is contracted at its upper end and its lower portion is widened. This apron is attached to the belt or waist strap at the end portion thereof provided with the buckle, rivets or like fastenings 8 being employed to secure the said apron in place. The apron protects the clothing of the picker and also receives the inward thrust of the basket, thereby preventing injurious pressure or contact 0f the basket or receptacle with the person.

The suspending hook arranged opposite to the apron 3 is engaged with the belt or waist strap 2 at a point between the rivets or fastenings 8, the latter serving to hold the suspending hook in proper position. A strap 9 is secured to the front side of the apron near the lower edge thereof and constitutes a rib against which the rim of the basket 10 bears, thereby preventing tipping of the said basket when laden with produce.

The suspending hooks 4 are of like formation, being substantially of S-form, the upper eye engaging with the belt or waist strap, whereas the lower eye is adapted to receive the handle of the basket or like receptacle 10. The opening leading to the lower eye of each suspending hook is of less width than the width of the handle of the basket, hence under normal conditions the basket is prevented from casual displacement roni the hook, but when required the picker may by a deft manipulation of the hook effect ready disengagement thereof from the basket or receptacle.

When iitted to the person, the harness presents the appearance about as shown in Fig. 1, the basket or receptacle l0 being suspended from the middle hook which is utilized most generally and particularly when gathering vegetables or picking fruit upon small or low trees. When mounting a tall ladder, the basket is suspended from the rear left hand hoek, thereby being out of the way, although not quite as convenient as when suspended from the iront hook. Empty baskets are generally suspended from the right hand hook, and if' it be required to carry more than one filled basket, each of the side hooks is loaded so as to more nearly equalize the load upon the picker.

It will be understood that the invention provides for conveniently supporting a receptacle for receiving iruit and vegetables as gathered, thereby leaving both hands of the picker free, which is of vital consequence.

It will be further noted that by reason of the peculiar formation of the harness, the load is supported from the shoulders and is distributed uniformly upon both sides of the picker, thereby preventing the objectionable feature of having an excess ol weight upon one or the other of the shoulders.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

The herein described fruit pickers harness, comprising a belt having portions widened to form integral tabs pendent therefrom and apertured, shoulder straps secured at their ends to front and rear portions of the belt and having their intermediate portions widened and longitudinally slotted, suspending hooks iitted in the apertures oi the widened or tab portions of the belt, an apron having its upper end placed against the inner 

